In 14 states, the registration deadline is at least 30 days prior to Election Day. These states are Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

In 18 states, the registration deadline is between 20 and 29 days before the elections. These states are Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia.

Six states have same-day registration – Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming – which means you can actually register and vote at the same time, but only if you have a photo ID with your address on it.

In North Dakota, you don’t even have to register in order to vote.

Each time you move from one state to another, or even from one address to another in the same neighborhood, you must reregister to vote.

If you registered to vote in the past, but haven’t actually voted in a quite some time (say, four years), it’s a good idea to either reregister or just contact your local elections office to make sure your registration is still active.

Land Line’s annual TruckVote special section is written by State Legislative Editor Keith Goble with contributions from News Clerk Clarissa Kell-Holland. Keith may be reached at keith_goble@landlinemag.com.

With Election Day only weeks away, it is important to
take the time and register to vote. Stop sitting on the sidelines. Follow the guidelines listed below and start
making a difference.

Deadline to register

Each state has a different deadline for voter registration, but in many states, you need to register at least 20 days before Election Day. This year, Election Day is Nov. 7. See story at left to see whether your state’s deadline has passed. If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t give up, go ahead and register now so you are ready for the next opportunity to effect change.

Rules for registering

For most states, you can register to vote in person or via mail. Depending on your state, you can print your registration form off the Internet or pick one up in person from the DMV, local board of elections office, post office, library or other locations designated by state officials. See Page 62 for your state’s elections office phone number and Web address.

Who can vote?

As long as you’re 18 or older, an American citizen and a resident of the state in which you’re planning to register, you have an equal chance to decide who you want to run your country, your state, your county and your town.

Where to vote?

After you’ve sent in your registration form, you will receive an information booklet or sample ballot in the mail about where and when you should go to vote. Some states will send a voter registration ID card.